Australian Muscle Car

steve normoyle

I’d just turned eight when the 1970 Bathurst 500 was held. I remember it well. I was already a fully formed car and car racing nut, and already in my tiny mind there was an awareness that the Bathurst 500 in October was a very big deal, the most important day of the year – even more important than Christmas Day. I was a Holden fan (because, as was the way of things back then, our family car was a Holden, a HK Kingswood wagon), and so naturally I had a soft spot for the Torana GTR XU-1. Even half a century later the LC model XU-1 is still my favourite all-time Australian muscle car – narrowly ahead of the LJ. The LC gets the nod for me because it was…

last firth hdt torana changes hands

The last Group C Torana built during Harry Firth’s reign at the Holden Dealer Team has sold at auction for $910,000. While the hefty sale price makes it one of the most expensive Holdens to ever change hands, it fell short of expectations that the car would top $1m. Auctioneer Lloyds even speculated that such a significant and rare racing Torana A9X might attract as much as $2m. According to Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames, the car was purchased by a ‘passionate Australian collector, who wishes to remain anonymous. It is said that under its new ownership the racing A9X will remain in Australia. The car is the first Torana A9X Hatchback built by the HDT. It was debuted by John Harvey in the ’77 Sandown 400, before Harvey went on…

craig gore convicted of fraud

Former Supercars and Champ Car team owner Craig Gore has been found guilty of fraud in a Brisbane court. He was sentenced to five years in prison, although Judge Michael Byrne ordered the term be suspended as Gore had already served two years behind bars. Gore, the high-profile racing team boss and head of the Wright Patton Shakespeare financial services company, was found guilty of six counts of fraud relating to obtaining funds from self-managed superannuation fund investors during 2013 and ‘14. Judge Byrne found that Gore had offered rates of interest to customers which he knew he could ultimately not return. Judge Byrne said: “(The complainants) had taken a chance with their investments, they did that because of the trust you had built with them.Your dishonest conduct was deliberate and targeted.” The money…

tremec trauma no more

Owners of V8 manual Commodores and HSVs from the VT2 series up till VZ now have the opportunity to upgrade from their original T-56 TREMEC six-speed transmissions to a new version of the superior, later-spec Magnum six-speed. Australian TREMEC specialists Mal Wood Automotive now offers the new TREMEC Magnum -F™ six-speed transmission – effectively a TR-6060 Magnum six-speed (released here on VE series Commodores in 2009) – which has been designed to replace the T56 as fitted to pre-VE, LS1 5.7-litre V8 Commodores and HSVs. The ability to retrofit the newer Magnum to earlier-model Holdens provides the solution to the shrinking pool of quality T-56 replacement parts (for a gearbox model series that’s now 30 years old), as well improving performance. And for those with supercharged or modified LS1s, the Magnum -F™ offers…

john harvey diagnosed with terminal cancer

Australian motor racing great John Harvey has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Harvey’s family shared this news of his condition on social media. The message read: “It’s with great sadness our family would like to share the news that our wonderful father John has recently been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. “Together as a family we are by his side, helping him remain as comfortable as possible. “Unfortunately this is not a race he can win but as usual he shows the dignity and strength that he’s known for. “Our darling dad has the love of his family around him and always remains the gentleman. “Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you from Beverley, Donna Harvey, Lyndall Blackmore, Gavin Harvey, and all the family.” Harvey won the Bathurst 1000 in 1983 alongside Peter…

john french s 90th

The new Gold Coast Motor Museum at Upper Coomera was chosen by the local Legends’ Coffee Club for a ‘surprise’ nostalgic 90th birthday celebration for John French. The guest of honour needed no introduction to around 100 friends and motorsport personalities from all circles of racing, including his old mate and 1980 Bathurst 1000 co-winner Dick Johnson. Sadly, because of COVID-19 restrictions, French’s southern motoring friends couldn’t attend this private function which also doubled as the annual Legends’ reunion. Along with traditional birthday celebrations, including calls from Allan Moffatt and Fred Gibson (naming but a few), invited guests were treated to a tour of the museum, proudly owned by motoring enthusiasts, brothers Grant and Carl Amor. Around 70 collectables, (from a T-Model Ford to Ferraris), bikes, and associated memorabilia are on display. Glenis…